Here, you will find a collection of reflections, guide questions, images and slide backgrounds — all crafted to enhance and elevate your celebration of the Presentation of the Lord.
The Gist of Luke 2:22-40
Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to fulfill the Jewish law. There, they encountered Simeon, a devout man who recognized Jesus as the promised Messiah. Additionally, an elderly prophetess named Anna praised God upon seeing Jesus and spoke of him to others in the temple.
Candlemas
The Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas, is a Catholic feast commemorating the presentation of Jesus at the Temple in Jerusalem. It is celebrated on February 2nd, marking 40 days after Christmas. The day is associated with the recognition of Jesus as the “light of the world.”
The story of how Jesus was presented at the temple is a beautiful story that shows us how God had a plan and a purpose for Jesus, and how he revealed it to Simeon and Anna in his perfect timing.
God’s Perfect Timing
God has a plan and a purpose for you. And he reveals it to you in his perfect timing. How do I know that? Because the Bible tells us so. The story is found in Luke 2:22-40 and it is about how Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus to the temple to present him to the Lord. When they arrived at the temple, they met two people who had been waiting for a long time to see the Messiah. One was a man named Simeon, and the other was a woman named Anna. They were both old and faithful, and the Holy Spirit had promised them that they would not die until they had seen the Christ.
When they saw Jesus, they praised God and spoke about him to everyone. They recognized that Jesus was God’s plan and purpose for Israel and the nations. They also realized that God had revealed his plan and purpose to them in his perfect timing.
How to Discover God’s Plan
What can we learn from this story? First, we can learn that God has a plan and a purpose for each of us. He created us, he loves us, and he wants us to know him and serve him. Second, we can learn that God reveals his plan and purpose to us in his perfect timing. He does not show us everything at once, but he shows us what we need to know when we need to know it.
So, how can we discover God’s plan and purpose for our lives? Here are three things we can do:
Read the Bible. The Bible is God’s word to us. It tells us who God is, who we are, and what he wants us to do. As we read, study, and apply the Bible, God speaks to us and guides us.
Pray. Prayer is talking to God. It is a way of expressing our love, gratitude, praise, confession, requests, and questions to God. As we pray, God listens to us and answers us.
Obey. Obedience is doing what God says. It is a way of showing our trust, respect, loyalty, and love to God. As we obey, God blesses us and uses us.
God has a plan and a purpose for each of us, and he reveals it to us in his perfect timing. Let’s seek him, listen to him, and follow him. He will show us the way.
For I know well the plans I have in mind for you… plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope.
Jeremiah 29:11
Reflective Questions for Spiritual Growth
- How do you relate to the characters of Simeon and Anna, who waited patiently and faithfully for God to fulfill his promise? What are you waiting for God to reveal or accomplish in your life?
- How do you respond to God’s plan and purpose for your life? Do you accept it with joy and gratitude, like Simeon and Anna, or do you struggle with doubt and fear, like Mary and Joseph?
- How can you discern God’s timing in your life? How do you balance between being proactive and being passive, between taking action and trusting God? How do you cope with uncertainty and delay?
Free Social Images & Slides to Share
Feel free to download and share the following images on your social media platforms. Slide backgrounds are available for use in various presentation tools such as PowerPoint, Google Slides, Canva, and others:
A Story To Deepen Insight
There once was a small village in the middle of a dense forest. The villagers were very poor and had to work hard every day to make ends meet. One day, a wise man came to the village and said, “I will give you a magic seed that will grow into a tree that bears gold coins.” The villagers were overjoyed and thanked the wise man. They planted the seed and waited for the tree to grow.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months, but the tree did not grow. The villagers became angry and went to the wise man to complain. The wise man listened patiently and said, “You have not taken care of the seed. You have not watered it, nor have you given it any fertilizer. You have not even protected it from the animals in the forest.”
The villagers realized their mistake and apologized to the wise man. They started taking care of the seed, and soon the tree grew into a beautiful tree that bore golden coins. The villagers were very happy and thanked the wise man for his gift.
Use Your Magic Seeds
The moral of the story is clear: While we recognize that God is generous and has a specific purpose for each of us, we must be active participants in fulfilling that plan. Alongside the acknowledgment of God’s generosity, there is a call for human responsibility. God often works through people to accomplish His purposes.
Doing our part means taking initiative and using the “magic seeds” – gifts, talents, and opportunities – that God has given us. While we take initiative, it’s crucial to trust God’s timing. Sometimes, God’s plan unfolds gradually, and we may not see the full picture immediately. Patience and trust in God’s perfect timing are essential.